Strategy and Constitution Directorate
Constitution and UK Relations Division
T: 0131-244 5537
E: xxxxxxx.xxxxx@xxx.xxxx
Mr George Greenwood
Freedom of Information Researcher
BBC
Floor 6
4 Millbank
London
SW1P
___
Our ref: FOI/17/01547
July 2017
Dear Mr Greenwood
REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 (FOISA)
Thank you for your request dated 30 June 2017 under the Freedom of Information (Scotland)
Act 2002 (FOISA).
Your request
You asked for “a copy of all emails sent and received by the following special advisors:
a) Colin McAllister
b) Liz Lloyd
c) Kate Higgins
d) Davie Hutchison
e) Stewart Maxwell
Clearing freedom of information requests made by journalists to the Scottish government
between January 1st and June 30th 2017 “.
Response to your request
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish
Government does not have the information you have requested. This is because the role of
special advisors does not involve “clearing freedom of information requests”. This is a formal
notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the
information you have requested.
As our published guidance explains, special advisors sometimes provide comments on draft
responses, as do other officials who have knowledge of, or an interest in, the information
which has been requested.
St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
www.gov.scot
Your right to request a review
If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an
internal review of the response, by writing to Head of FOI Unit, 2W, St Andrew’s House,
Regent Road, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG or email
xxx@xxx.xxxx Your review request should
explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 40 working
days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you
the result, within 20 working days from the date when we receive your review request.
If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the
Scottish Information Commissioner. More detailed information on your appeal rights is
available on the Commissioner’s website at:
http://www.itspublicknowledge.info/YourRights/Unhappywiththeresponse/AppealingtoCommi
ssioner.aspx. Yours sincerely
STEPHEN BRUCE
St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG
www.gov.scot